Apparatus for printing continuous designs on roll paper and the like



Dec. 8, 1953 W B cu-mmcs 2,661,687

APPARATUS FOR PRINTING CONTINUOUS DESIGNS ON ROLL PAPER AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 24, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I.

W/i/fam 5. 5175069 INVENTOR.

BY Mfimay 8 4063;

W. B. CHANCE APPARATUS FOR PRINTING CONTINUOUS DESIGNS ON ROLL PAPER AND THE' LIKE Dec. 8, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1951 @m M N a w 99.1,, m m i a m 2 m M Y W B .W m wv MW q um WW Dec. 8, 1953 w. B. CHANCE APPARATUS FOR PRINTING CONTINUOUS DESIGNS ON ROLL PAPER AND THE LIKE 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug.

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Patented Dec. 8, 1953 2,,tthd87 UNITED STATE EPENT OFFICE APPARATUS FUR PRINTING CONTINUGUS DESIGNS N ROLL PAPER AND THE LKKE William B. Chance, St, Clairsville, Qhio Application August 24, 1951, Serial No. 2443, 128

(Cl. Mil-$.12)

3 Claims. I "i My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for printing a continuous design of a given length on roll paper and similar material.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a practical apparatus for printing continuously a long design or form, repetitious, or otherwise, on roll paper and which is well adapted for comparatively high speed and equally eiiicient operation on either thin or heavy gauge roll papers.

Another object is to provide apparatus for printing with an endless belt carrying printing plates for printing a substantially continuous form, together with efficient means for inking the plates and maintaining the belt taut during inking of the plates and the printing operation.

Other and subordinate objects, within the purview of my invention, together with the precise nature of my improvements will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved apparatus in the preferred embodiment thereof as viewed from one side of the same;

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the apparatus viewed from the other side thereof;

Figure i is a fragmentary View in vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 44 of Figure 2 and drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view in end elevation. drawn to a still larger scale of the upper and lower impression rollers, illustrating the direction of run, or drive, of the belt and the paper between said rollers;

Figure 6 is a view in longitudinal section drawn to a larger scale of one of the inking rollers;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view drawn to a larger scale of the belt and illustrating one arrangement of the printing plates thereon; and

Figure 8 is a view in edge elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the apparatus of my invention comprises an elongated frame designated, as a unit, by the numeral and including a base 2, a top and at wnat constitutes the front end of said frame a raised. hollow platform structure i. The front end of the top 3 overhangs the platform structure f2 rearwardly of said structure the frame l further includes uprights 5 spaced apart .2, longitudinally of the base 2 to form pairs at opposite sides of said frame I, a front pair of the uprights 5 being shown in Figure 2. The uprights 5 support upper and lower, longitudinal, side bars 6, l at each side of the frame i between the base 2 and the top 3, the upper bars being substantially above the platform structure t and the side bars 7 well below the top 3 of said structure The particular purpose of the described parts of the frame i will presently appear.

Adjacent the front end of the frame l, a pair of upper and lower impression rollers it, H extend transversely of the platform structure t between upright side bearing brackets l2 suitably fixed on said structure A, the lower impression roller H being journaled in said brackets and the upper impression roller labeing iournaled in bearings i2 vertically slidable in said brackets by hand operative set bolts l3 for adjusting upper roller it vertically relative to said lower roller H for a purpose presently seen. Like gears on one end of said rollers Ii], H connect the same together for drive of the lower impression roller H by the upper one, and will be presently explained.

An endless belt l5 drives the upper impression roller it and which, for the purpose of arrangement of a belt of considerable length in compact form within the confines of the frame l, which is substantially shorter, has its upper run trained over a horizontal upper series of transverse idler rollers is suitably journaled in the upper horizontal series of bars 6, said upper run being trained under a similar horizontal, lower series of transverse inking rollers l'l journaled in the lower horizontal bars i, said belt being trained over a pair of spring tensioned belt tightening rollers it, It at the front and rear and below the series of inking rollers IT. The belt tightening rollers l8, it are journaled in arms 29, 2! pivoted, as at 22, 23 for vertical swinging on an upright 5 and the base 2, respectively. As will be seen, the rollers it are spaced a substantial distance above the rollers IT and Hi, and Hi and the inking rollers it and belt tightening rollers 58, iii form a series staggered laterally with respect to the series of rollers I! so that the belt i5 is formed by said rollers into a plurality of vertical, successive, closely spaced loops E i whereby a very long belt can be arranged in a comparatively short frame I, as will be clear.

From the foremost roller of the upper series the upper run of the belt 15 is trained forwardly over a larger, transverse idler roller 25 journaled in a hanger bracket 25 suspended from the front end of the top 2 of frame I. From the idler roller 25, the belt I5 extends downwardly around the upper impression roller In in front thereof from which it travels rearwardly be tween said rollers 10, H.

From the impression rollers I3, II the lower run of the belt I5 travels over a transverse idler roller 28 journaled in the platform structure 4 and from which said belt is looped downwardly under a transverse comparatively large driving roller 29 also journaled in said structure 4. Immediately behind. driving roller 29, the belt I5 is looped upwardly over a transverse belt tightening roller 33 journaled in bearings 3I on top of said structure 4 and adjustable longitudinally of said structure to adjust said roller 33 for tightening purposes. From tightening roller 30 the belt I5 extends downwardly and rearwardly under a lower transverse idler roller 3| journaled in the I lower part of the structure 4. From idler roller 3|, the belt I5 extends rearwardly to the spring tensioned belt tightening roller I3 over idler rollers 32 on two of the uprights 5, said idler rollers 32 being disposed below the inking rollers I1.

A series of printing plates 35 of rubber, preferably, or other suitable resilient materials are cemented to the belt I5 on the outer surface thereof and spaced longitudinally along said belt so as to travel, printing face down, between the impression rollers III, I I, and so that the printing faces engage paper or the like fed between said plates and the lower impression roller II. Also, as will be clear, the plates 35 travel over the inking rollers I! so that the printing faces face i said inking rollers. The printing plates 35 may be provided with suitable designs embossed thereon either alike, in each instance, are alike in certain series of the plates, while being different in other series, so that the plates will print a continuous selective design, varied or uniform, as desired, and corresponding in length to the length of the endless belt I5.

A drive is provided for the lower run of the belt I5 which drives said run rearwardly from the impression rollers III, I I so that the printing plates 35 travel downwardly at the front of the upper impression roller I and rearwardly between the pair of impression rollers I0, I I, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 5. driving the belt l5, the upper impression roller I0 is driven clockwise as viewed in Figure 1, and counterclockwise as viewed in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The drive comprises an electric motor 31 on the base 2 at one side of the frame I, a belt and pulley reduction drive connection 38 between the motor 31 and one end of a transverse shaft 38 journaled in the lower portion of the platform structure 4, and a belt and pulley reduction drive connection 39 between the outer end of said shaft 38 and the driving roller 29. 31 controls the motor 31.

Returning now to the inking rollers I1, said rollers as shown in Figure 6, are hollow with an end filler plug 4! for filling with ink, and formed with peripheral ink discharge apertures 42. A suitable absorbent sleeve on each inking roller I1 covering the apertures 42 provides for inking the printing plates 35 as said plates pass under said rollers I1 in the lower ends of the loops 24 formed by said inking rollers I1. As will be understood, the inking is accomplished under the action of centrifugal force.

The printing plates 35 print on roll paper fed rearwardly between the belt I and the lower A suitable switch By thus s impression roller I I by the lower impression roller II which is driven oppositely relative to the upper impression roller III by intermeshing gears 45, 46 fast on corresponding ends of said rollers. The paper is pulled by said impression roller II from a roll of paper 41 wound on a reel 48 secured by set screws 49 on a shaft 50 suspended transversely of the frame I from the top 3 thereof by hanger brackets 5I depending from said top in front of the belt I5 and in which said shaft is removably mounted. The reel 48 is adjustable along said shaft 50 to adjust the same transversely of said belt I5, as occasion may require, in placing the design on the paper. From the reel 48, the paper 41 is trained downwardly be tween the bearing brackets I2, in front of the impression rollers I0, I I, and under an idler roller 52 journaled transversely of the frame I in said brackets and from which the paper 41 travels rearwardly over and around the lower impression roller II so that said roller II frictionally drives the papers to pull the same off the roll. From the impression roller I I the paper extends forwardly to wind up means. The wind up means comprises a rewind roller 53 in front of the impression rollers I0, II journaled at its ends parallel with said rollers III, II in free ends of a pair of cross connected arms 54 pivoted at rear ends thereof, asat 55, for vertical swinging movement. The ends of the rewind roller 53 are journaled in notches 55 in said arms 54 for removal of said rewind roller to remove the wound up paper.

The paper 41 extends forwardly from the bottom of the lower impression roller II over an idler roller 56 to said rewind roller 53. Coil springs 51 suitably connected to said arms 54 and to the brackets I2 urge said arms 54 upwardly to engage the roll wound upon the rewind roller 53 with a driving roller 58 for winding up the roll of paper and which extends above and parallel with said roller 53. The driving roller 58 is journaled at one end in one bearing bracket I2 and is driven at said end by a belt and pulley connection 60 between said end and one end of the upper impression roller Ill. The idler roller 56 is similarly mounted on said bracket I2 and the other bearing bracket I2 is notched at its front end, as at 6|, for access to the idler roller 56 and rewind roller 53 for fastening the paper to said roller 53 in any suitable manner.

The set bolts I3 provide for adjusting the upper impression roller III for proper pressure engagement of the printing plates 35 with the paper 41 running between the bight of the impression rollers III, II.

Guide rollers for the edges of the belt I5 are provided on a bracket 65 bridging the hearing brackets I2 and are adjustable horizontally relative to said edges by axle studs 61 adjustable in slots 68 in said brackets 66.

A suitable counter 10 is mounted on the brackets 66 and driven through a roller 1I riding against the belt I5 to count the number of times the belt I5 makes a complete cycle of operation.

The paper 41 may be narrower than the belt I5 and offset from the center .line of said belt with the printing plates 35 similarly offset from said line, or the paper 41 may be of different widths and the printing plates 35 otherwise placed on the belt I5 according to operating requirements.

A weighted, pendant rod 15 pivoted on a transverse rod 16 on the top 3 to swing against the roll of paper 4'! acts as a friction brake to prevent over-rotation of the reel 48.

The operation of the apparatus will be readily understood. After the belt I5 has been driven through a cycle of operation, the printing plates will be inked by the printing rollers H. The paper 4'! may then be pulled from the reel 48, manually, and inserted manually between the belt I5 and the lower impressions II and then trained from the impressions I I up over the idler 56 to the rewind roller 53. As will be clear, further operation of the apparatus'will cause the paper 41 to be pulled by the rewind roller 53 from the reel 48, the lower impression roller I I feeding the paper beneath the plates 35 at the same rate of speed as the speed of travel of said plates so that said plates will print on the paper 47 without tearing the same.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suflice to impart a clear understanding of my invention, without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification, without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new 1s:

1. Apparatus for printing a design on flexible material comprising a frame, a pair of upper and lower impression rollers mounted on said frame and geared together for drive of the lower roller by the upper roller, an endless belt within the confines of said frame trained around the upper roller to travel between said rollers in driving relation to the upper roller, horizontal series of upper and lower rollers in said frame over which said belt travels and forming vertical closely spaced loops in said belt whereby a comparatively long belt may be accommodated in a relatively shorter frame, a drive for the belt, printing plates spaced along said belt to travel between the impression rollers in facing relation to the lower impression roller, the lower series of rollers being hollow, perforated and ink containing for inking said plates under the action of centrifugal force means on said frame between said lower a roll of material for feed between said lower roller and said plates for printing on the material, said lower impression roller feeding said material from said roll, a rewind roller on said frame, and a drive from the lower impression roller frictionally engaging the material on said rewind roller to rewind the same.

2. Apparatus for printing on flexible material comprising a frame, a pair of upper and lower impression rollers mounted on said frame and geared together for driving of the lower roller by the upper roller, an endless belt within the confines of said frame trained around the upper roller to travel between said rollers in driving relation to the upper roller, horizontal series of upper and lower rollers in said frame over which said belt travels and forming vertical closely spaced loops in said belt whereby a comparatively longer belt may be accommodated in a relatively shorter frame, a drive for said belt, printing means on said belt spaced along the same to travel between the impression rollers in facing relation to the lower impression rollers, said lower series of rollers being hollow, perforated and ink containing for inking said plates under the action of centrifugal force and means for feeding the material between the lower impression roller and said plates for printing on the material.

3. Apparatus for printing on flexible material comprising a frame, a pair of upper and lower impression rollers mounted on said frame, an endless belt within the confines of said frame trained around the upper roller to travel between said rollers in driving relation to the upper roller, horizontal series of upper and lower rollers in said frame over which said belt travels and forming closely spaced vertical loops in said belt whereby a comparatively long belt may be accommodated in a relatively shorter frame, a drive for said belt, printing plateson said belt spaced along the same and travelling between said impression rollers with said plates facing said lower impression roller, said series of lower rollers being hollow, perforated and ink containing for inking said plates under the action of centrifugal force, said lower impression roller and the plates being adapted to print on material fed between said plates and the lower impression roller.

WILLIAM B. CHANCE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 220,428 Rumney Oct. 7, 1879 330,719 Lindley et a1 Nov. 17, 1885 459,387 Barnes et al. Sept. 15, 1891 1,331,579 Rosenfeld Feb. 24, 1920 1,560,710 Meyer Nov. 10, 1925 1,704,328 Krenninger Mar. 5, 1929 2,013,738 Wolcott Sept. 10, 1935 2,066,179 Keller Dec. 29, 1936 2,341,627 Koreska Feb. 15, 1944 2,574,941 Trozmuller Nov. 13, 1951 

